Cooperative development and key factors for sustainability: A case study of Bulgaria

• Vutsova, Albena ^[1] ; Arabadzhieva, Martina ^[1] ; Yalamov, Todor ^[1]
  1. [1] Sofia University

     Sofia University

     Bulgaria

     
• Localización: Cooperativismo e economía social, ISSN 1130-2682, Nº 48, 2025, págs. 153-174
• Idioma: inglés
• Enlaces
  • Texto completo
• Resumen

  • Cooperatives represent a unique business model and play a significant role in socio-economic development. Thanks to their flexibility, they can adapt to a wide range of sectors and are a key component of the social economy. This article focuses on the role of cooperatives as instruments of the social economy, with particular attention to Bulgaria - a country that was among the first to adopt and institutionalize the cooperative model in the early 20th century, gaining international recognition for its efforts.

    The aim of the study is to analyse the factors influencing cooperative development, particularly in relation to their life cycle and economic performance, and to identify key challenges and opportunities for growth. A long-term examination of cooperative activity reveals clear patterns of urban expansion, with shifts in focus that align with broader economic transformations. Today, the sustainability of cooperatives increasingly depends on their ability to integrate economic, social, and environmental goals, positioning them as crucial partners - especially where public services are lacking or insufficient.

    These findings offer valuable insights for comparing cooperative models across market economies with well-established cooperative traditions and similar developmental trajectories. This is especially relevant in countries with a history of centrally planned economies, where state policy significantly shaped the structure and function of cooperatives.